News

In light of the Global Ethics Day on October 16th, we are reflecting on the importance of ethical decision-making in environmental management. Students in the course “Ethics of conservation and resource use” went on a field trip this week where they visited the hydropower plants at Engidalur, to learn more about hydropower development throughout the Westfjords, and the existing conflicting interests around it. The course introduces the students to a diverse set of theories and principles for ethical environmental management.

From 2021 to 2024, the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) was part of the international research project called CliCNord (Climate Change Resilience in Small Communities in the Nordic Countries). Our Academic Director, Matthias Kokorsch, was the project leader for the Icelandic CliCNord team. With the funding that the project received, Matthias was able to hire three students in the Coastal Communities and Regional Development master’s program at UW as research assistants. All three master’s students conducted their master’s thesis research within their projects with CliCNord.

Master's students from the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program recently participated in a series of field trips as part of the "People and the Sea: Geographical Perspectives" course. Over three weeks, the students explored Ísafjörður and nearby communities, learning about the historical development of the region, the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by its inhabitants, and the ongoing efforts to adapt to climate change. The field trips provided insights into how the Westfjords are balancing new economic opportunities like tourism and aquaculture with the need for sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection.

On Thursday and Friday, October 3rd and 4th, the conference “Islands as Diverse Spaces” was held at the University Centre of the Westfjords. The aim of the conference was to highlight the importance of islands and remote communities, which are constantly evolving and crucial to study. One of the key characteristics of islands and remote communities is resilience, biological diversity, and cultural richness. Islands and remote communities also play an important role in terms of international ecological and cultural heritage. With this role in mind, the conference aimed to explore island communities through three broad themes: culture, language, and education.

The University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) will be a part of the “Green Meets Blue Project” financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (NCM FJLS). The project is led by Nordregio, with UW, and the University of Highlands and Islands (Scotland) as collaborators. Matthias Kokorsch, academic director at UW, is the project leader for the Icelandic case study. He is supported by Research Assistants Rebecca and Tabea, both current UW master’s students, as well as UW alumn and instructor Maria Wilke, who wrote her PhD on public participation in marine spatial planning.

On Friday, September 13th, a conference on the social and solidarity economy took place at the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW). Over 50 people attended the conference, and the lectures were as interesting as they were diverse. The conference began with light refreshments provided by UW, and Peter Weiss, the director, welcomed the attendees and gave an opening address. He also announced the absence of the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, who was unable to attend due to a funeral.

Last Saturday, the new UW master’s students went on a trip to Vigur Island, an Arctic island located in the northwest of Iceland, renowned for its importance as a habitat for birdlife and its eiderdown collection. The group consisted of UW master’s students from the Coastal Marine Management program and the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program. Also with them were master’s students from the Climate Change and Global Sustainability (CCGS) program at the School of International Training in Vermont. The CCGS students are spending a semester with us here at UW.

Our academic director, Matthias, and two of our master students recently went on a trip to the Faroe Islands. They joined the GLISFO workshop: Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Islands Cooperation Workshop. This three-day workshop brought together researchers operating within Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, to delve into areas of scientific significance and shared interest between the West Nordic countries. Organized by the Research Council of the Faroe Islands, the Greenland Research Council, Rannís – The Icelandic Centre for Research, and the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, this workshop was intended to be a platform for meaningful exchange of ideas, insights and experiences and the kick-off for future scientific cooperation within the West Nordic community. The workshop covered all areas that are of relevance for the University Centre of the Westfjords and its research activities as well as course contents. Seminars and panels addressed green energy; social sciences; security/geopolitics; ocean, climate, and the Blue Economy; sustainability and culture; and health/genetics.

It's thesis defense season again at the University Centre of the Westfjords. The first defense starts on Tuesday September 3rd. During this defense season 13 students will defend their theses in the coming weeks with many interesting topics. The defenses are open to the public and people are also invited to join through zoom. The links can be found in the table below.

Today and tomorrow are orientation days at the University Centre of the Westfjords, where master's students are being welcomed and the new academic year is beginning. The student group present today consists of UW master's students enrolled in two programs: Coastal Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. Also present were master's students in the Climate Change and Global Sustainability master’s program at the School of International Training in Vermont, who will stay at UW for one semester.